Miami dolphins

Team Overview

Miami’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster, finishing 8-9 amid injuries to Tua Tagovailoa (hip, concussions) and a porous offensive line. Despite flashes of brilliance—Tyreek Hill’s 1,799 receiving yards and a historic 70-point game in 2023—the Dolphins missed the playoffs and parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. For 2025, head coach Mike McDaniel leans on a revitalized roster, with a beefed-up defensive line and a versatile draft class. If Tua stays healthy and the offensive line holds, Miami could push for 10+ wins, but their survivor pool value hinges on exploiting soft spots in the schedule.


Miami Dolphins 2025 NFL Survivor Pool Preseason Analysis

The Miami Dolphins enter 2025 with a chip on their shoulder, looking to shake off a disappointing 2024 season and reclaim their spot as AFC East contenders. With a high-octane offense led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, paired with a revamped defense under new coordinator Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins have the tools to be a survivor pool darling—if they can stay healthy and navigate a tricky schedule. This analysis dives into their roster, metrics, and 2025 schedule to pinpoint the best weeks to ride with Miami and the landmines to avoid in your survivor pool.


Team Roster Review

Offense

  • Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa (3,966 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs in 2024, 11 starts), Skylar Thompson, Quinn Ewers (7th-round rookie). Tua’s quick-release and accuracy are elite, but his health remains a glaring concern. Ewers is a developmental stash.
  • Running Backs: Raheem Mostert (814 yards, 8 TDs in 2024), De’Von Achane (997 yards, 10 TDs), Ollie Gordon II (6th-round rookie), Jeff Wilson Jr. Achane’s explosive speed and Mostert’s veteran savvy make this a dynamic duo, though both are injury-prone.
  • Wide Receivers: Tyreek Hill (1,799 yards, 13 TDs), Jaylen Waddle (1,014 yards, 5 TDs), Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft. Hill and Waddle form one of the NFL’s best tandems, stretching defenses thin. Depth is a concern if injuries hit.
  • Tight Ends: Jonnu Smith (582 yards, 4 TDs), Durham Smythe, Julian Hill. Smith’s athleticism adds a red-zone threat, but the group lacks star power.
  • Offensive Line: LT Austin Jackson, LG Isaiah Wynn, C Aaron Brewer, RG Liam Eichenberg, RT Patrick Paul, Jonah Savaiinaea (2nd-round rookie). The line struggled in 2024 (28th in pass-blocking win rate), and Terron Armstead’s retirement hurts. Savaiinaea’s versatility is a bright spot, but this unit needs to gel.


Defense

  • Defensive Line: Edge: Bradley Chubb (7.5 sacks in 2024), Jaelan Phillips (6.0 sacks), Chop Robinson. Interior: Kenneth Grant (1st-round rookie), Jordan Phillips (5th-round rookie), Zeke Biggers (7th-round rookie), Zach Sieler. The Dolphins doubled down on the trenches, with Grant’s 330-pound frame anchoring the run defense. Chubb and Phillips need to stay healthy to boost the pass rush.
  • Linebackers: David Long Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Willie Gay (free agent signing), Anthony Walker Jr. Brooks’ sideline-to-sideline range and Gay’s playmaking add depth, but this group lacks an elite star.
  • Secondary: CB Jalen Ramsey (5 INTs in 2024), Kendall Sheffield, Jason Marshall Jr. (5th-round rookie), Kader Kohou; S Jevon Holland, Dante Trader Jr. (5th-round rookie). Ramsey remains a lockdown cornerstone, but the cornerback depth is unproven. Holland’s ball-hawking elevates the back end.
  • Special Teams: K Jason Sanders (89% FG in 2024), P Jake Bailey, LS Blake Ferguson. Sanders is reliable, and Bailey’s punting is above average. Return game (Berrios, Achane) is dangerous.


2025 Draft Class

  • Round 1, Pick 13: DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan) – 3.5 sacks in 2024, 330-pound run-stuffer. Immediate starter.
  • Round 2, Pick 37: OG Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona) – Versatile lineman, projects as starting left guard.
  • Round 5, Pick 143: DT Jordan Phillips (LSU) – Developmental tackle, strong against the run.
  • Round 5, Pick 150: CB Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida) – Local product, adds depth to a thin CB room.
  • Round 5, Pick 155: S Dante Trader Jr. (Maryland) – Instinctive safety, special teams upside.
  • Round 6, Pick 179: RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) – Big 12 star, complements Achane’s speed.
  • Round 7, Pick 231: QB Quinn Ewers (Texas) – High-upside project, potential Tua backup.
  • Round 7, Pick 253: DT Zeke Biggers (Georgia) – 6’6”, 320-pound space-eater, blocked 4 kicks in college.


Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

Offense

  • Points Scored: 24.6 PPG (13th in NFL)
  • Total Yards: 366.4 YPG (8th)
  • Passing Yards: 248.2 YPG (6th)
  • Rushing Yards: 118.2 YPG (15th)
  • Turnovers: 23 (21st)
  • Key Note: Miami’s offense thrived when Tua played (27.1 PPG in his starts) but cratered with backups (18.4 PPG).


Defense

  • Points Allowed: 23.8 PPG (20th)
  • Total Yards Allowed: 340.1 YPG (18th)
  • Passing Yards Allowed: 221.6 YPG (16th)
  • Rushing Yards Allowed: 118.5 YPG (19th)
  • Takeaways: 25 (10th)
  • Key Note: The defense struggled against winning teams (28.3 PPG allowed vs. teams above .500).


2025 Outlook

The offense should remain top-10 if Tua avoids the injury bug, with Hill and Waddle exploiting soft secondaries. The offensive line’s growth is critical to sustaining drives. Defensively, the influx of young talent (Grant, Phillips, Biggers) boosts run-stopping, but the secondary needs Marshall or Sheffield to step up. Expect 8–10 wins, with survivor pool value in home games against weaker foes.


2025 Schedule Breakdown

The Dolphins’ 2025 schedule offers a mix of winnable games and brutal stretches, making strategic timing critical for survivor pool picks. The early slate is manageable, with home games against the Colts and Cardinals offering potential anchor spots. However, a midseason gauntlet featuring road trips to Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Buffalo could derail even the most optimistic pool players. Late-season divisional matchups against the Jets and Patriots are trap games, especially on the road.


Easiest Stretch: Weeks 1–4, with three home games (Colts, Cardinals, Titans) and a winnable road trip to Cleveland. This front-loaded schedule gives Miami a chance to build momentum. Hardest Stretch: Weeks 7–10, facing the Eagles, Chiefs, Bills, and Rams in a brutal four-game span, three on the road. Survivor pool players should steer clear here.

Week Date Opponent Location Time/Network Win Probability Survivor Pool Fit
1 Sun, 9/7 Indianapolis Colts Home 1:00 PM ET, CBS 62% Decent: Colts are beatable, but road-weary Miami could stumble if rusty.
2 Sun, 9/14 Arizona Cardinals Home 1:00 PM ET, FOX 70% Strong: Cardinals’ defense can’t match Miami’s speed. Prime early pick.
3 Sun, 9/21 at Cleveland Browns Away 1:00 PM ET, CBS 58% Risky: Browns’ defense is stout, and road games are dicey early.
4 Mon, 9/29 Tennessee Titans Home 8:15 PM ET, ESPN 68% Strong: Titans’ offense struggles on the road. Safe primetime spot.
5 Sun, 10/5 at New England Patriots Away 1:00 PM ET, FOX 55% Poor: Divisional road game with upset potential. Avoid.
6 BYE - - - - -
7 Sun, 10/19 at Philadelphia Eagles Away 8:20 PM ET, NBC 38% Avoid: Eagles’ physicality and home crowd make this a trap.
8 Sun, 10/26 at Kansas City Chiefs Away 8:20 PM ET, NBC 35% Avoid: Chiefs in Arrowhead are a survivor pool killer.
9 Sun, 11/2 at Buffalo Bills Away 1:00 PM ET, CBS 40% Avoid: Cold weather and divisional rivalry spell danger.
10 Sun, 11/9 Los Angeles Rams Home 4:25 PM ET, FOX 52% Risky: Rams’ offense is sneaky-good; Miami’s home edge is slight.
11 Mon, 11/17 Las Vegas Raiders Home 8:15 PM ET, ESPN 65% Decent: Raiders are inconsistent, but Monday night adds variance.
12 Sun, 11/23 New York Jets Home 8:20 PM ET, NBC 60% Strong: Jets’ offense falters, and Miami’s home dominance shines.
13 Thu, 11/27 at Green Bay Packers Away 8:20 PM ET, NBC 42% Avoid: Short-week road game in Lambeau is a nightmare.
14 Sun, 12/7 Atlanta Falcons Home 1:00 PM ET, FOX 63% Decent: Falcons’ offense is dynamic, but Miami’s speed can keep pace.
15 Sun, 12/14 at Houston Texans Away 1:00 PM ET, CBS 45% Avoid: Texans’ defense and home-field advantage tilt this heavily.
16 Sun, 12/21 San Francisco 49ers Home 8:20 PM ET, NBC 48% Risky: 49ers’ physicality could expose Miami’s line. Coin-flip game.
17 Mon, 12/29 at New England Patriots Away 8:15 PM ET, ESPN 50% Avoid: Late-season Foxborough is a survivor pool graveyard.
18 Fri, 1/3 Buffalo Bills Home TBD, TBD 55% Risky: Divisional finale with playoff implications. Too volatile.

Historical Performance

In survivor pools, the Dolphins have been a mixed bag. In 2023, their 11-6 record made them a popular early pick, but they burned players in a Week 4 loss to Buffalo and a wild-card exit. In 2024, an 8-9 campaign and Tua’s injuries made them a risky choice, with only home games against Denver and the Jets being reliable. Their tendency to drop winnable games against divisional foes (1-5 in AFC East in 2024) makes them a boom-or-bust survivor option.


Survivor Viability Tier: Streamable

The Dolphins are a Streamable survivor pool option in 2025. Their explosive offense and home-heavy early schedule make them a solid pick in select weeks, but Tua’s injury history, a shaky offensive line, and a tough midseason slate limit their reliability as a top-tier anchor. Use them strategically in favorable matchups, but don’t burn them too early—there are safer bets for later weeks.


Best Survivor Picks

  • Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals (Home, 1:00 PM ET, FOX, 70% Win Probability)
    The Cardinals are a middling team with defensive holes, and Miami’s speed-based offense thrives at home. Coming off a likely Week 1 win, the Dolphins should be firing on all cylinders. This is a prime early-season pick before the schedule toughens.
  • Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans (Home, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN, 68% Win Probability)
    The Titans’ offense remains a work in progress, and their road struggles make this Monday night matchup a safe bet. Miami’s defense, bolstered by new draft picks, should feast on Tennessee’s inconsistent line.
  • Week 12 vs. New York Jets (Home, 8:20 PM ET, NBC, 60% Win Probability)
    Assuming Aaron Rodgers is still hobbling or benched, the Jets’ offense is no match for Miami’s home-field advantage. This late-season divisional game is a sneaky-good pick if you’ve saved the Dolphins.


Weeks to Avoid

  • Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs (Away, 8:20 PM ET, NBC, 35% Win Probability)
    Arrowhead in primetime is a nightmare for any team. The Chiefs’ high-powered offense and raucous crowd make this a death trap for survivor pool players.
  • Week 9 at Buffalo Bills (Away, 1:00 PM ET, CBS, 40% Win Probability)
    Divisional road games are always dicey, and Buffalo’s cold weather and rabid fans tilt this heavily against Miami. Avoid at all costs.
  • Week 17 at New England Patriots (Away, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN, 50% Win Probability)
    Late-season Foxborough trips are notorious for upsets. The Patriots’ gritty defense and Miami’s potential fatigue make this a risky pick.


Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

  • Tua’s Health: If Tagovailoa misses time, Miami’s offense drops from top-10 to bottom-10. Monitor injury reports closely before locking in picks.
  • Home-Field Advantage: Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is a fortress in September and October, with heat and humidity wearing down opponents. Prioritize home games early.
  • Divisional Traps: The Dolphins struggle in AFC East road games (2-10 since 2022). Avoid Patriots and Bills away matchups.
  • Bye Week Timing: The Week 6 bye is early, meaning Miami could be fresh for Weeks 7–10 but fatigued late. Plan accordingly.


Final Verdict

The Miami Dolphins are a Streamable survivor pool pick for 2025, offering high-upside weeks against weaker opponents like the Cardinals (Week 2), Titans (Week 4), and Jets (Week 12). Their explosive offense and home-field edge make them tempting, but Tua’s injury risk, a shaky offensive line, and a brutal midseason schedule demand caution. Save them for early home games and pair with safer anchors like Kansas City or Philadelphia for a balanced survivor strategy. Don’t sleep on Miami, but don’t bet the farm either.

  • Is Tua Tagovailoa's health a concern for using the Dolphins in survivor pools?

    Tua's concussion history is a legitimate concern when considering the Dolphins in survivor pools. He missed three games in 2024 due to the league's concussion protocol, and Miami's offense performed significantly worse without him. The team went 1-2 in those games, averaging just 17.3 points compared to their season average of 26.8. Before locking in the Dolphins as your survivor pick any week, verify Tagovailoa's status and consider having a backup option if there's any uncertainty about his availability.

  • How much does the Miami heat and home-field advantage impact the Dolphins' survivor pool value?

    The Miami heat advantage is substantial and should be weighted heavily in your survivor pool decision-making. In 2024, the Dolphins went 7-2 at home, outscoring opponents by an average of 11.6 points. Their early-season home games (September/October) saw even larger margins, with an average victory of 14.3 points. Teams traveling from colder climates or the West Coast particularly struggle with the humidity and heat. When Miami hosts northern teams early in the season, they become one of the most reliable survivor picks in the NFL.

  • Should I be concerned about the Dolphins' defensive changes when using them in my survivor pool?

    Yes, the defensive changes merit caution. The departure of Christian Wilkins in 2024 free agency created a void that rookies Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon will need to fill. Their run defense ranked 16th in 2024 and could regress further with inexperienced players in key roles. When evaluating the Dolphins for your survivor pool, pay particular attention to the opponent's rushing attack. Teams with powerful running games could exploit Miami's defensive front, making the Dolphins a riskier survivor pick against run-heavy opponents like Baltimore, San Francisco, or Philadelphia.

References